The second quarter of 2026 has been a reminder that conservation is about far more than protecting wildlife; it is about investing in people, building partnerships, and strengthening the systems that allow both communities and nature to thrive.

One of the moments I am most proud of this quarter has been celebrating the journey of Wilson Sairowua, Mara Elephant Project’s newest helicopter pilot. Wilson joined MEP in an administrative role before taking opportunities to learn across nearly every department within the organization. Inspired by an early interest in drone operations, he pursued professional aviation training in the U.S., earning his pilot’s license before returning home to Kenya to complete the process of converting his certification for local operations.

Wilson’s story represents exactly what conservation should be about. By investing in local people, we are not only building stronger conservation programs but also creating role models who inspire the next generation.

I was filled with hope seeing the pride with which Wilson’s community welcomed him home, and was reminded that when we invest in individuals, we create opportunities that extend far beyond one person. His achievement demonstrates to young Maasai that leadership in conservation is within their reach, and I have no doubt he will inspire many others to follow a similar path. This quarter also provided an opportunity to strengthen MEP’s international relationships.

In April, I traveled to Guangzhou, China, alongside our Image Ambassador Jeffrey Wu to meet with long-standing supporters and engage with new philanthropic networks committed to wildlife conservation. Many of the individuals we met have previously visited Kenya and have experienced our work firsthand, making these conversations especially meaningful. Building lasting partnerships with supporters around the world is essential to ensuring that MEP can continue delivering impactful conservation initiatives for years to come, and I left China encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment we encountered.

Back home in Kenya, we continued monitoring one of the country’s most important forests from above. During a helicopter patrol over the Maasai Mau Forest, we identified several illegal logging and charcoal production hotspots that require targeted ranger deployment. The Maasai Mau remains one of Kenya’s most critical water towers and an essential habitat supporting wildlife across the Greater Mara Ecosystem. Protecting this forest is fundamental not only for elephants but for the health of the entire landscape, and aerial surveillance continues to provide invaluable intelligence that allows our teams to respond quickly and effectively.

One of the quarter’s most significant operational achievements was the successful re-collaring of two key bull elephants, Edwin and Lolotoo, alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). After our monitoring team identified significant wear on Edwin’s collar, the team and I led a coordinated aerial operation alongside Mara Conservancy Vet Dr. Ashif Hafiz affiliated with KWS, MEP’s research team, and Mara North Conservancy rangers to safely replace it. As a well-known “crop-a-holic,” Edwin’s GPS collar provides critical real-time movement data that supports rapid responses to human-elephant conflict.

Later that month, we also re-collared Lolotoo after his collar batteries neared the end of their lifespan, ensuring we can continue monitoring his movements through the Marmanet landscape. These operations are essential to our long-term monitoring program, providing the data that guides conservation planning, supports coexistence, and helps keep both elephants and communities safe.

Collaboration continues to sit at the heart of everything we do. In June, senior members of the MEP team joined me in meeting with KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga together with our partners from the Mountain Bongo Project. The meeting reaffirmed our long-standing partnership and our shared commitment to strengthening wildlife protection through coordinated ranger operations, advanced conservation technologies, and practical strategies to reduce human-elephant conflict. These relationships are fundamental to ensuring that conservation efforts remain effective, collaborative, and sustainable for the future.

As I reflect on the past few months, I continue to be inspired by the dedication of our staff, our partners, and our supporters. Thank you for standing alongside us. Your continued support allows us to invest in people, embrace innovation, and protect the extraordinary landscapes that elephants and humans alike depend on.